2014 - Backpacking to Stranraer, Scotland day 14

Backpacking to Stranraer, Scotland from 21 May to 26 June 2014 (37days)

Beautiful cottage of Janet and James Drysdale next to Alistair's house at Millfield Avenue, Stranraer, Scotland.

Day 14 (3.6.2014) to Robert Burns Cottage at Alloway, Scotland (105km)
 
This morning our immediate neighbour Janet and James Drysdale came over and together with Alistair McCulloch, we drove north all the way to Alloway 105km away to visit the birthplace of the famous Robert Burns (1759), before making the return journey home.

Our heartiest congratulations to Janet and James Drysdale for getting a new car a few days ago and a thousand thanks to both of them for driving the ladies on the western scenic coastal road towards Ayr. We had morning tea hosted by Janet and James Drysdale at Maly Café at Girvan and later had picnic lunch at Kennedy Park, beside Dunure Castle. Total return road journey travelled was about 185 km.

The wonderful region of Ayrshire & Arran offers an extensive selection of great things to see. We passed through the following coastal towns as follows; Innermessan, Cairnryan, Ballantrae, Lendalfoot, Girvan, Turnberry, Maidens, Dunure and finally Alloway near to Ayr. Along the way we stopped at many interesting places.

Sleeping: Alistair McCulloch's Shambley Residence, Millfield Avenue, Stranraer, Scotland.
Temp: min.10 – max.16 °C


Our heartiest congratulations to Janet and James Drysdale for getting a new car.


The rhododendrons flowers growing wild on the hillside at Glenapp, Scotland.


The Ayrshire Coastal Path is a coastal long-distance hiking path in Ayrshire, Scotland. The route, which is 161 kilometres long, runs along the coast from Glenapp, Ballantrae to Skelmorlie. South of Glenapp, the route links with the Mull of Galloway Trail to Stranraer.


We were walking on part of the Ayrshire Coastal path in Ayrshire, Scotland.


L-R: Val Allan, Pauline Toh, Janet Drysdale, Catherine Oon, Betty Ching, Lim Kee Moon at Glenapp, Scotland.


Pauline Toh and Catherine Oon at Glenapp, Scotland.


Catherine Oon, Betty Ching and Pauline Toh at Glenapp, Scotland.


The rhododendrons flower at Glenapp, Scotland.


The Church of Scotland at Glenapp also Known as the Glen Kirk. Simple structure of 1850, enhanced by P Mac Gregor Chalmers in 1910. Windows by Douglas Strachan and Kelley & Co including a memorial window to Elsie Mackay, 3rd daughter of Earl of Inchcape, killed in 1928 attempting to fly the Atlantic. Modern stained glass window above door, 'The Stilling of the Tempest', in memory of 1st Earl. Graveyard contains tombs of the three Earls of Inchcape.


The cemetery beside Church of Scotland at Glenapp.


The cemetery beside Church of Scotland at Glenapp.


The cemetery beside Church of Scotland at Glenapp.


On the coastal road from Glenapp to Alloway, Scotland.


Country side view on the coastal road from Glenapp to Alloway, Scotland.


We passed through Ballantrae Village on the coastal road from Glenapp to Alloway, Scotland.


We passed through towns on the coastal road from Glenapp to Alloway, Scotland.


On the coastal road from Glenapp to Alloway, Scotland.


Monument to the cruiser “VARYAG” at Lendalfoot, Ayrshire.


Monument to the cruiser “VARYAG” at Lendalfoot, Ayrshire. The Varyag Memorial was unveiled here at Carleton Bay, Lendalfoot on the 30th of July 2006 and was attended by members of the Russian navy. The Varyag was a Russian cruiser which was involved in a heroic battle in the Russo-Japanese war in 1904.


Varyag was a cruiser built in the United States for the Imperial Russian Navy. She was launched on 31 October 1899 and commissioned on 2 January 1901. In 1904, at the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War, Varyag became famous for a heroic action after she and another Russian gunboat were trapped by 15 Japanese warships while she was in the neutral Korean port of Chemulpo. Rather than surrender to the Japanese, the Russian ships sailed out to meet their enemy. They put up a brave fight but, drastically outgunned, they received heavy damage and were forced to return to harbour where the decision was taken to scuttle the vessels. A number of neutral European warships, including the British cruiser Talbot, picked up the surviving crew members who were eventually returned to Russia. They returned to a heroes' welcome


In 1905 the Japanese raised the vessel and carried out repairs after which it served in their navy as the light cruiser Soya. During the Great War, however, Russia and Japan became allies and Varyag was one of several ships transferred by the Japanese to the Russian Navy. The Russians immediately gave the warship her original name back. In 1916 Varyag was sent to Great Britain for a refit but by the time she was ready to resume active service with the Arctic squadron the Russian Revolution was underway so, to prevent her falling into the wrong hands, she was impounded by the British.

In 1920 Varyag was sold to Germany for scrap but while she was under tow she ran aground on rocks off Lendalfoot. The wreck remained visible until 1925 when the once proud warship finally sank beneath the waves. On Sunday July 30, 2006 (Russian Navy Day), a memorial tablet to the cruiser was unveiled at the site. Various Russian dignitaries and navy personnel attended the ceremony but the Russian people wanted to have a more significant memorial. In response the striking bronze cross featuring the warship was unveiled the following year.


The gigantic anchor of the cruiser Varyag at Lendalfoot, Ayrshire.


The gigantic anchor of the cruiser Varyag at Lendalfoot, Ayrshire.


The sea-view from the anchor of cruiser Varyag at Lendalfoot, Ayrshire.


Ailsa Craig is an island of 99 hectares in the outer Firth of Clyde, 16 kilometres west of mainland Scotland, upon which "blue hone" microgranite has long been quarried to make curling stones.


The coastal village of Lendalfoot is located 10km southwest of Girvan in Ayrshire.


Girvan is a harbour town in Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland. It lies 21 miles south of Ayr, and 29 miles north of Stranraer, the main ferry port from Scotland to Northern Ireland.


Girvan is a harbour town in Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland.


Maly's Cafe in Girvan, Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland.


We had morning tea hosted by Janet and James Drysdale at Maly Café, Girvan, South Ayrshire, Scotland.


We had morning tea hosted by Janet and James Drysdale at Maly Café, Girvan, South Ayrshire, Scotland.


Val Allan and Lim Kee Moon at Maly Café, Girvan, South Ayrshire, Scotland.


Betty Ching and Catherine Oon at Maly Café, Girvan, South Ayrshire, Scotland.


Trump Turnberry Ailsa Golf Course, Girvan, Scotland.


Trump Turnberry Ailsa Golf Course, Girvan, Scotland.


On the coastal road from Girvan to Alloway, Scotland.


On the coastal road from Girvan to Alloway, Scotland.


Driving towards Croyburnfoot Caravan Park, Croy, Scotland.


Driving towards Croyburnfoot Caravan Park, Croy, Scotland.


At Croy Shore Beach, Croy, Scotland.


At Croy Shore Beach, Croy, Scotland.


At Croy Shore Beach, Croy, Scotland.


At Croy Shore Beach, Croy, Scotland.


Culzean Castle is a castle overlooking the Firth of Clyde, near Maybole, Carrick, in South Ayrshire, on the west coast of Scotland. It is the former home of the Marquess of Ailsa, the chief of Clan Kennedy, but is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland.


On the coastal road from Croy to Alloway, Scotland.


On the coastal road from Croy to Alloway, Scotland.


On the coastal road from Croy to Alloway, Scotland.


On the coastal road from Croy to Alloway, Scotland.


On the coastal road from Croy to Alloway, Scotland.


On the coastal road from Croy to Alloway, Scotland.


On the coastal road from Croy to Alloway, Scotland.


Dunure Castle is located on the west coast of Scotland, about 5 miles south of Ayr and close to the village of Dunure. Today the castle stands in ruins on a rocky promontory on the Carrick coast, overlooking the small harbour of Dunure.


Dunure Castle stands in ruins on a rocky promontory on the Carrick coast of Dunure. 


Dunure Castle stands in ruins on a rocky promontory on the Carrick coast of Dunure.


We had picnic lunch at Kennedy Park, beside Dunure Castle on the Carrick coast of Dunure.


We had picnic lunch at Kennedy Park, beside Dunure Castle on the Carrick coast of Dunure.


We had picnic lunch at Kennedy Park, beside Dunure Castle on the Carrick coast of Dunure.


We had picnic lunch at Kennedy Park, beside Dunure Castle on the Carrick coast of Dunure.


We had picnic lunch at Kennedy Park, beside Dunure Castle on the Carrick coast of Dunure.


We had picnic lunch at Kennedy Park, beside Dunure Castle on the Carrick coast of Dunure.


We had picnic lunch at Kennedy Park, beside Dunure Castle on the Carrick coast of Dunure.


On the coastal road from Dunure to Alloway, Scotland.


On the coastal road from Dunure to Alloway, Scotland.


Alloway Village, Scotland to visit Burns Cottage.


Alloway is a village in South Ayrshire located on the River Doon. It is best known as the birthplace of Robert Burns and the setting for his poem "Tam o' Shanter".


Burns Cottage, the first home of Robert Burns is located in Alloway, South Ayrshire. It was built by his father, William Burness in 1757. Burns, Scotland's national poet, was born there on 25 January 1759.


Burns Cottage, the first home of Robert Burns is located in Alloway, South Ayrshire. It was built by his father, William Burness in 1757. Burns, Scotland's national poet, was born there on 25 January 1759.


Robert Burns Birthplace Museum located in Alloway, South Ayrshire.


Robert Burns Birthplace Museum located in Alloway, South Ayrshire.


Brig o' Doon forms an integral part of the story of Robert Burns in Alloway because it plays such an important role in the poem Tam o' Shanter, published in 1791. In the poem, the central character, Tam o' Shanter, is returning home late and drunk from market day in Ayr when he stumbles upon a coven of witches and warlocks in Auld Kirk Alloway, at the southern end of Alloway. He disturbs the gathering and is chased by them. By tradition a witch will not pursue you across running water, so Tam o' Shanter rides with all speed towards the nearby Brig o' Doon, barely escaping with his life (and his horse without its tail). You can read the full text of the poem, in Scots and English, and in English translation, on our Tam o' Shanter page.


The return road journey from Alloway, South Ayrshire to Stranraer.


The return road journey from Alloway, South Ayrshire to Stranraer.


The return road journey from Alloway, South Ayrshire to Stranraer.


The return road journey from Alloway, South Ayrshire to Stranraer.


The return road journey from Alloway, South Ayrshire to Stranraer.


The return road journey from Alloway, South Ayrshire to Stranraer.


Ailsa Craig is an island of 99 hectares in the outer Firth of Clyde, 16 kilometres west of mainland Scotland, upon which "blue hone" microgranite has long been quarried to make curling stones.


The return road journey from Alloway, South Ayrshire to Stranraer.


The return road journey from Alloway, South Ayrshire to Stranraer.


The return road journey from Alloway, South Ayrshire to Stranraer.


The return road journey from Alloway, South Ayrshire to Stranraer.


The return road journey from Alloway, South Ayrshire to Stranraer.


Back home, Alistair McCulloch picking potatoes for dinner at Shambley Residence, Stranraer.


Click below to view daily adventures:
Day 01 (21.05.2014 Wed) – MH16 KUL/AMS 2355hr – 0655hr on 22May
Day 02 (22.05.2014 Thr) – Amsterdam City, Holland

Day 03 (23.05.2014 Fri) – Amsterdam Zaanse Schans Village (21km)
Day 04 (24.05.2014 Sat) – KL.1477R AMS/GLA 1535hr - 1605hr Glasgow Airport
Day 05 (25.05.2014 Sun) – Stranraer, Scotland

Day 06 (26.05.2014 Mon) – Fishing station at Lady Bay (15km) Loch Ryan
Day 07 (27.05.2014 Tue) – Portpatrick and Mull of Galloway Lighthouse (58km)
Day 08 (28.05.2014 Wed) – Lide supermarket (2.8km) and Museum
Day 09 (29.05.2014 Thu) – Exploring Galloway Forest Park (56km)
Day 10 (30.05.2014 Fri) – Kirkland Fishery Farm in Leswalt (4.6km)

Day 11 (31.05.2014 Sat) – Exploring Galloway Forest Park (60km)
Day 12 (01.06.2014 Sun) – Trekking 20.8km Loch Ryan Coastal Path
Day 13 (02.06.2014 Mon) – A free and easy rest day
Day 14 (03.06.2014 Tue) – To Robert Burns Cottage at Alloway (78km)
Day 15 (04.06.2014 Wed) – Fishing station at Lady Bay (15km) Loch Ryan

Day 16 (05.06.2014 Thu) – A trip to the Giant Causeway (153km) by coach
Day 17 (06.06.2014 Fri) – Trekking 4km Ardwell Pond, Ardwell Bay (18km)
Day 18 (07.06.2014 Sat) – Our ladies went shopping in Ayr (72km)
Day 19 (08.06.2014 Sun) – Visiting Isabelle/Robert in Newton Steward (50km)
Day 20 (09.06.2014 Mon) – Overnight stay at Fishing Station, Lady Bay Loch Ryan

Day 21 (10.06.2014 Tue) – Visited a farm using automated milking
Day 22 (11.06.2014 Wed) – Day 1 of Scenic West Coast Tour, Scotland
Day 23 (12.06.2014 Thu) – Day 2 of Scenic West Coast Tour, Scotland
Day 24 (13.06.2014 Fri) – Day 3 of Scenic West Coast Tour, Scotland
Day 25 (14.06.2014 Sat) – Day 4 of Scenic West Coast Tour, Scotland

Day 26 (15.06.2014 Sun) – Day 5 of Scenic West Coast Tour, Scotland
Day 27 (16.06.2014 Mon) – Allan and Pauline 50th wedding anniversary
Day 28 (17.06.2014 Tue) – Mysterious beach walk at Loch Larbrax, Scotland
Day 29 (18.06.2014 Wed) – Lake Loweswater, Lake District, UK (day1)
Day 30 (19.06.2014 Thu) – Outward Bound Ullswater, Lake Ullswater (day2)

Day 31 (20.06.2014 Fri) – Return from Lake District (day3)
Day 32 (21.06.2014 Sat) – Our last visit to the bothy at Lady Bay
Day 33 (22.06.2014 Sun) – A farewell dinner hosted by Margaret Modrate
Day 34 (23.06.2014 Mon) – A farewell tea hosted by Vera Little
Day 35 (24.06.2014 Tue) – To Glasgow for a night stay for next day flight
Day 36 (25.6.2014Wed) Glasgow 6am to Amsterdam 8.40//MH17 12noon to KLIA
Day 37 (26.06.2014 Thu) – MH17 touched down at KLIA at 6.20am.


 
37day expenses per person was RM6,139.05 
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4 comments:

  1. Nice to hear Malaysian English spoken by Mr Ching helping to pick potatoes from Alastair's garden. Bet the Scots would have to get used to 'our' English, ha!ha! Great to hear Hokkien spoken by Pauline.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ramakrishna Ramachandran03 September, 2014

    Ching,
    Thank you. Great travel. Best regards.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Peace with your god in a country place of churches. Was told London is quite different today with many migrants of different religion, many with intolerant faith originating from Middle East. Political correctness that has come back to bite, that surely must disturb all British, more so to those in Alloway, seem so Christian like.

    ReplyDelete
  4. NB Ching's entourage continued their journey into S.W. Scotland's Stranraer
    that brought them breathtaking scenery and new experience to a far-away land. It was a long back-to-the- nature walk, with water fall, goats , red deer, and cattles grazing on the wild-flower spread meadows. Wow, one will get carried away just imagine witnessing these scenes. Ching tempted you by saying: If you have not been to Scotland......The loch that turned into reservoir, the remnant of an old castle and some churches, and the convoy of British classic cars passing by-remind the tourists that Scotland has so much to offer to visitors. It's all so irresitible. Pines forest showcases a site ideal for shooting movies like Star War and Twilight series, could be eerie yet enchanting when darkness falls. Artic migratory birds fly by the hundreds or even thousand at the shores enticed NB Ching's fast camera skill to capture them not on cellulid but saved in SD memory card-amazing modern photogaphic work. Bak Kut-Teh to share with the Kwailos? No offence intended; you sure the Scottish hosts enjoyed Catherine's culinary offering? It was fun to see the red and white dressed ladies matching with the red flowering plant where they had a picture taken. I realised the Malaysian visitors and their hosts were all senior citizens when group pictures were taken. NB Ching's group has the fortune to be guided and driven through beautiful coastline and country roads, passing through smaller towns and cottages. It's great to have friends and associates when one lands on foreign shores. Regards from Alan Kok.

    ReplyDelete